Nashville detectives investigating a plot to attack security at the new Downtown Detention Center for which criminal justice reform advocate Alex Friedmann is now charged are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying three potential accomplices.
A review of surveillance video from when the new jail facility was under construction shows Friedmann, who posed as a construction worker to gain access to the building, interacting with three other men. Detectives have been unable to ascertain their identities. Anyone knowing who they are is asked to Contact Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.
Friedmann, 50, was arrested Tuesday night by Specialized Investigations Division detectives on a grand jury indictment charging him with vandalism in excess of $250,000 at the new detention building. He is being held in lieu of $2.5 million bond.
Friedmann was initially arrested in this case on January 4th and charged with attempted burglary, possession of burglary tools and evidence tampering after he was found by Sheriff’s Office staff to be in the jail facility dressed as a construction worker. A cooler Friedmann carried into the facility contained bolt cutters, a key chit (used as a security measure to identify keys), and a schematic document of the building. Friedmann is alleged to have tried to destroy the document by ripping and chewing it after he was detained.
The continuing investigation since Friedmann’s initial arrest resulted in the discovery of three loaded guns and tools hidden within the Downtown Detention Center. On Friday, Central Precinct detectives executed a search warrant at Friedmann’s Broadmoor Drive home. Certain items seized during the search are being analyzed by MNPD electronics experts.
Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall said Friedmann was carrying out a “deliberate, evil” plan to plant tools and weapons to assist in a “massive escape” involving loss of life.
“We are not confident we’ve found everything,” Hall said. “We are not going to work here until we’re comfortable.”
